Environment

The new Recycle Today: 2014 Pinellas County Recycling Directory has just been released. The directory is packed with the latest information about how to recycle in Pinellas County including local options for recycling cans, glass bottles, plastics #1-7, paper, yard waste, cardboard, electronics, chemicals and motor oil.

Weedon Island Preserve continues the numerous opportunities available for hikers. Each Saturday in January hikers can learn about the ecosystems and early residents of the preserve while hiking the coastal uplands and boardwalks through mangrove forests. This two-hour hike, beginning at 9 a.m. is best for ages 6 and older. Advance registration required.

Gulfport, Florida -- If council approves a loan, contractors could fix Gulfport's aging sewers by the end of 2015. At Tuesday night's council meeting, councillors heard the second of two presentations. The first presentation, heard at the December 3 meeting, came from ConEdison Solutions. ConEd Solutions' program would allow Gulfport to borrow the money over up to 20 years. ConEd representatives told Gulfport the city would save money annually with the sewer improvements but if it did not, ConEd would pay the difference.

Pinellas County, Florida -- The holidays are a season for giving but we often end up giving too much to the landfill. Holiday gift wrap, cardboard and party goods add up to truckloads of extra garbage.

Gulfport, Florida -- Don Sopak warned council that the city’s sewers needed replacing, and Tuesday night the city heard about one of two possible programs that would help Gulfport finance what city staff calls much-needed repairs.

Mr. Sopak, the city’s public works director, presented a plan for the city in the summer of 2011. That plan, a state revolving fund, allowed the city to borrow up to $1-million and repay the loan over five years at 2.35%. Council initially agreed to borrow the money but reversed their decision in October 2011.